Business Details
31 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in Marshall, MI
Established in 1995, Housley Peters Law Office specializes in estate planning and probate services, dedicated to helping clients protect their legacies and care for loved ones. Our practice focuses on creating tailored legal solutions through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and patient advocate designations. With over 25 years of experience, we prioritize client education and clarity, ensuring complex legal processes feel approachable and manageable.Our team combines meticulous attention to detail with compassionate guidance, reflecting our commitment to both professional excellence and personal service. Located in Marshall, Michigan, we serve local families while maintaining a reputation for integrity and reliability in estate planning matters.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills
Trusts
Probate
Power of Attorney
Patient Advocate Designation
HIPAA Privacy Waiver
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialized estate planning experience
- Our team provides personalized guidance through complex legal processes
- Meticulous document preparation ensures long-term legal validity
- Client education focuses on practical understanding over legal jargon
- Local Marshall, MI practice with deep community knowledge
What people say
Pleasant and professional
Painless process
Responsive to questions
Meticulous and professional
Executed quickly
Services
Estate Planning
We create comprehensive estate plans tailored to individual family needs and financial situations. Our services include asset protection strategies, inheritance planning, and end-of-life decision documentation. Clients receive clear guidance through wills, trusts, and advance directives to ensure their wishes are legally enforceable.
Probate
Our probate services guide executors through Michigan's legal requirements for settling estates. We handle court filings, asset distribution, and debt resolution while minimizing family conflicts. The process maintains legal compliance while honoring the deceased's final wishes as documented in valid estate plans.
Trusts
We establish living trusts to manage asset distribution outside probate court. Our trust solutions address tax planning, disability provisions, and multi-generational wealth transfer. Each trust document receives careful customization to match specific family dynamics and financial objectives while ensuring legal enforceability under Michigan law.
People
Diane Housley Peters
Attorney
Licensed attorney since 1995 with specialized estate planning expertise. Formerly practiced in Marshall's downtown area before relocating westward in 2006. Combines legal knowledge with practical understanding of family needs through personal experience as mother of three and active community member.
Questions
What documents are essential for basic estate planning?
Our practice recommends three core documents: Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters, Patient Advocate Designation for healthcare decisions, and HIPAA Privacy Waiver to enable information sharing with trusted representatives.
How do wills and trusts differ in Michigan estate planning?
Wills require probate court validation while properly funded trusts allow asset transfer outside probate. Trusts also provide ongoing management options for beneficiaries, making them valuable for complex family situations or larger estates.
Can I update my estate plan after moving out of state?
Yes, but we recommend reviewing documents when relocating. State laws vary regarding witness requirements, trust validity, and healthcare directives, so updates ensure continued legal enforceability wherever you reside.
What happens if I die without a will in Michigan?
State intestacy laws determine asset distribution, typically prioritizing surviving spouses and blood relatives. This default process may not align with personal wishes, potentially creating family conflicts and complicating asset transfers.
